DESPITE inclement weather prematurely ending this year’s sugar crop, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was able to produce approximately 12,000 tonnes of sugar more than last year’s production. Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy made this disclosure yesterday when he gave an update on GuySuCo’s performance to date, during a press briefing at that ministry’s boardroom.
He said, “We have ended the crop, and it appears as if we will have a production level of about 12,000 tonnes greater than 2010… GuySuCo will end up producing just over 237,000 tonnes for this year. This will be below their own target, but I want to commend the workers for their efforts to reach 240,000 tonnes.”
Dr. Ramsammy explained it was intended that cane grinding should continue, but the factories were unable to so do, since the rains affected the harvesting of the crop.In addressing the issue of whether the shortfall in GuySuCo’s production will affect the company’s ability to clear its debts, the Agriculture Minister noted that this issue will be discussed over the next few days.
“Since it is below the set target, I would expect there will be some challenges to meet their (GuySuCo) payments. We will have to look at what the deficit is, if there is one. At the moment, it is too early for me to say,” he said.
Despite the decline in sugar production over the last decade, Ramsammy expressed hope that, once the Skeldon Factory is fully operational, the past successes seen in the industry can again be achieved.
He said, “It (production) has been consistent in the last five years between 220,000 to 250,000 tonnes. What we now need to do is to take it the next notch, to 250,000 to 300,000 tonnes … The target is to reach 400,000 tonnes by 2015, and the potential is still there. Once Skeldon is fully operation, we will begin to see that success.”
He pledged to continue working closely with GuySuCo to achieve 20 percent replanting in the next three years, as well as increasing the acreage of lands under cultivation.
This, he said, will require the input of more private farmers.
Minister Ramsammy pointed out that if the sugar industry is to be successful, the focus needs to be placed on the production of packaged sugar.
Ramsammy said, “We need to increase our packaged sugar capacity so we can start providing for packaged sugar on the local and international market. The diversification of the industry with co-generation is another area we are looking at. I remain optimistic about sugar, and I believe that it will continue to play a significant role in the development of our country.”